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 What kids or young adult books have you read recently?  Like to let people know your recommendation?        

Email me the following details to be in the running to have your book review posted. The book you have read's title and author, the name of the most important character and a description of the plot or story.     
Include what you liked about the book. 

What was funny, moving, or interesting?    Who would you recommend the book for?      

Please include the ISBN and name of the publisher too.     

It doesn't need to be long. Three or four sentences is all that's needed.    

my email judy.wollin@gmail.com 

Harriet is a model, part time, while she is at school. Summer looks like a lot of fun until her best friend is grounded and sent to France to an isolated farm to get over being a teenager.

Harriet is shattered and wonders what she will do until an unexpected call to do a modelling shoot in Japan comes up. The downside is she must be chaperoned by her grandmother she hardly knows. The upside is her grandmother doesn’t think she needs a lot of looking after. Harriet is left at the hostel with the other models to fend for herself.

Harriet is not surprised when she is clumsy are the first shoot, but things go wrong at every shoot. She is in deep trouble and it looks like her modelling career is over. How does she sort it out?

I enjoyed the character mix.

Recommended for tweens and YA

Published by HarperCollins 2013

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

 Giuseppe and his brother and sister were orphans. Giuseppe was sold into servitude by his uncle and found himself in USA. He played a violin to earn enough to pay of his padrone master and not starve. The padrone was cruel and greedy and worked the children under his keep hard. Underfed and long hours begging in exchange for a space to sleep on the floor of a cold and leaky building.

Shipwrecks brought treasure that everyone scavenged. Giuseppe found a green violin. The music he played was so beautiful he started making money, lots of money. Enough money to make his padrone suspicious. Threats, betrayal and cruelty followed.

Hannah at 12 years old was the only person earning money in her family. Her father’s sickness drove her into trouble.

Frederick wanted his own clock making shop and making an automaton was his way to a bright future until he was mesmerised by a head and made an unwise choice that endangered himself, Hannah and Giuseppe.

How did the children survive and get out of life-threatening trouble?

I enjoyed the independent and interlocking plots of each character.

Recommended for 12 +

Published by Scholastic 2010

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

Toby had always lived at the Grand Hotel. Left there as a baby he was the staff’s child. He had one set of clothes, yellow pyjamas, and did all the jobs Mr Harris didn’t want to do.

Cook’s washing had blown all over the beach. Searching under the pier Toby found someone very unusual. She led him into a cave where more things surprised Toby.

What were they and how could Toby, Margot and the Captain keep them safe?

I enjoyed the fantasy of the story.

Recommended for Middle Grade.

Published The Chicken House 2004

Illustrated by Peter Bailey

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  For Sawyer it all started with a bump. The bump grew into a lump and the lump into a full-sized dinosaur tail. Sawyer was not looking forward to going back to school.

His friend Elliott stood by him but just about everyone else teased, laughed and stared. Life was hell. Being different was not fun. To start with the school principal disciplined kids who teased Sawyer which was great. Sawyer began to wonder what happened to the kids when they disappeared, and nothing was heard about them.

Sylvie, Elliott and Sawyer set out to find out what happened to the missing kids. 

I enjoyed the twists in the plot.

Recommended for Middle grade 8+

Published by Scholastic 2015

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  William and his family have been in hiding for as long as he can remember. Norway, why Norway? Why had his grandfather disappeared?

William loves codes and figuring them out. A feeling comes over his whole body when he is searching for the answer. The world’s most difficult puzzle is on display and waiting to be solved. William is drawn to it and miraculously solves it. 

His parents are shocked and panicked and start to pack immediately. They must hide again. A gigantic robot starts to destroy their house and they tell William to run, run for his life.

Will William survive, what are all these secrets about?

I enjoyed to mystery.

Recommend for MG and Tweens.

Published by Walker Books 2017

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  Mo struggles with life. Mum’s boyfriend is trouble, but Mum can’t see it. There’s no money and nothing to do around Crongton. School sucks and the only sunshine is Sam a friend since kindy who lives downstairs and her friends Elaine and Naomi.

Gang members flash cash about but they are truly nasty. Mo doesn’t want anything to do with them. That is until Mum’s boyfriend gets violent. Violence seems the only answer but the cost of terrible. How does Mo sort it?

The characters were vivid and their voice clear. The accents are strong and add to the character depth.

Recommended for 12+ Tween and YA

Published by ATOM 2017

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

Auntie Pearl drove like crazy, speeding, on and on. Henry sat at the café table with his cat Enkidu on his lap and waited for Auntie to come back. She didn’t. The note said she had to be gone within the hour.

Penny and Peter invited Henry to their house. That’s when things didn’t feel right. Henry sensed danger. His cat ran into the woods and Henry followed. What did he find and why was his cat a problem?

I enjoyed the mystery of Henry’s journey.

Recommended for middle grade 8+

Published by Egmont 2016

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  This short non-fiction book about early colonial explorers provides a light-hearted look at who went where. Greagg acknowledges Australian Aborigines knew and know about Country and the exploring was settlers finding their way.

The book covers colonial explorers from 1795 through to 1873 and gives the reasons behind the exploring and the common mistakes many explorers made which sometimes cost them their lives.

The illustrations add to the humour of the book.

Recommended for Middle Grade 8+

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

 Mallard is a tiny town not on any maps. Mallard as all towns had rules. It was the rules that drove Desiree and Stella away and brought them back, eventually.

Nobody married dark in Mallard. In 1848 Alphonse Decuir wanted a town that would accept him. He would never be accepted as white but he refused to be treated like black men were. Alphonse Decuir was pale, his mother hated it. He married a woman even paler, and they had pale children. More people came and Mallard became a town where pale was perfect.

Desiree wanted to go to college, Stella did not. Stella wanted to get away from her boss who violated her. Desiree suggested they runaway, make their future somewhere else and Stella agreed.

What happened in New Orleans? What future did Stella make for herself? How did Desiree survive? What brought them home?

A very thought-provoking book and colour, racism and family dynamics.

Recommended for YA

Published by Dialogue Books 2020

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

   Dale and Tomias are so excited about leaving home and going to boarding school together. Dale was born and grew up on Barrumbi country. Tomias is Barrumbi. 

They are best friends and do everything together. That is until school makes things complicated. Ms Winterson hates up-North. The heat, the insects, the people, especially the kids. Wild, badly behaved, and out of control. She sets out to cure them.

Dale breaks a glass door. Ms Winterson calls the police. Dale is given detention for breaking school property. 

Tomias is elected SRC rep for the class. 

Dale is confused. Does Tomas want to be his friend anymore? Tomias can’t believe the trouble Dale keeps getting into. How do the boys sort of school, their friendship and living away from home?

I thoroughly enjoyed this page turner. Vivid and engaging characters.

Recommended for middle grade readers particularly children wanting to know more what its really like at boarding school and growing up on country in rural Australia.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia Short-Listed Book

Published by Scholastic 20067. This version reprinted in 2012.

Read and Reviewed by Judy Wollin

This handbook addresses a too common most children experience, bullying. It starts with explanations of a range of types of bullying and a rationale about why it is wrong.

It goes on to explain why bullying happens and who are likely targets. It explains human differences are from God.

It sets out four strategies to cope with, prevent and stop bullying and when to get adult help. It is aimed at very young children and does not address cyber bullying. 

The illustrations help convey the message of the book.

Recommended for early school children and middle grade children in families of faith. Best read together and explained.

Published by One Caring Placer Abbey Press 2003

Illustrated by R. W. Alley.

ISBN 978-0-87029-369-6

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  Kira is an xenobiologist, living and working in outer space. Sent on one last trip to investigate unusual rock formation her life is changed for ever.

Kira and the lifeform that is attached to her, and maybe part of her, inadvertently trigger dangerous lifeforms and war and now must find a way to peace.

This epic saga of nearly 900 pages traces the intergalactic wars of multiple intelligent species of which humans are one.

I thoroughly enjoyed the detail and the world of the story.

Recommended for avid readers of intergalactic fantasy 15+

Published by Tor an imprint of Pan Macmillan 2020 

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

Sophie is a secret agent. Orphaned by a mysterious organisation plotting international conflict she survives on her wits to run a detective agency. Lil is her friend and co-owner of the agency and her best friend. They are both sent on cases in Europe.

Sophie is undercover as a wealthy heiress whose uncle has been murdered. She travels to Paris to search for clues.

Lil is sent to protect a princess and prince from being kidnapped.

What brings their paths together in Paris? Can they help each other solve the cases?

I enjoyed the historical context of the story and the links to real events.

Recommended for MG 10+

Published by Egmont

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

   Poppy’s brother Gus has tried to escape from the mission they are kept at but failed. He is brought back in disgrace and locked in an underground cell as punishment.

Gus sets out to run away again and tells Poppy to stay at the mission so he knows where she is and can come and get her once he has a job and house.

Poppy overhears news that sends her into a panic. She must escape the mission too. How will she survive? How will she find Gus? How will Gus find her when she not at the mission anymore?

I liked the historical setting of the story and the foundation of real events.

Recommended for Middle Grade readers.

Published by Puffin 2011

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  Marlee and Tilly have been friends forever and a summer surfing together and doing competitions is their dream. School can’t finish soon enough.

Tilly’s world falls apart when her dad is hit by a car and hospitalised. Tilly struggles to run her dad’s surf school and is stressed, crabby and nasty to people. Isolated, she is sad, alone and angry.

Marlee’s disappointed her friend isn’t training with her and is mean when she tries to help. Doesn’t Tilly know how hard it is doing her pamphlet drop, helping out and training for the competition coming up.

Their friendship looks over. How will the girls sort it out?

I enjoyed the realistic ups and downs of the girl’s friendship. A scenario common to most teenagers.

Recommended for 12 + tweens

Published by Pan Macmillan Australia 2007

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

Cherie felt sad about the new kitten. She didn’t like that the new kitten spilled her food. She thought Jojo didn’t love her anymore. Cherie ran away. She found animals that weren’t friendly. She realised the new kitten was her friend.

I enjoyed that she made friends with the kitten.

Recommended for 7 year olds. 

Published by Harper Collins 2019

Read and reviewed by Tina (nearly 7 years old)

    Scully is renovating like a man possessed. His wife had a feeling about an isolated, very old, cottage in Ireland. Jennifer flies to Australia to sell up and the family plans to settle in Ireland. They’ve travelled across Europe for years and now’s the time. A second baby is coming. It’s time to put down roots.

Scully can’t believe the day has arrived, his wife and 6-year-old daughter Billie, are flying in from Australia. Billie is alone and mute. She is tired, shattered and alone after the long-haul flight from Australia. What has happened to Jennifer?

The hunt begins. Scully and Billie start the search for Jennifer. What do they find?

This story was a thought-provoking page turner. It’s a book I could read over and over.

Recommended for 15+, YA and adults.

Published by Picador 1994

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

    Scully is renovating like a man possessed. His wife had a feeling about an isolated, very old, cottage in Ireland. Jennifer flies to Australia to sell up and the family plans to settle in Ireland. They’ve travelled across Europe for years and now’s the time. A second baby is coming. It’s time to put down roots.

Scully can’t believe the day has arrived, his wife and 6-year-old daughter Billie, are flying in from Australia. Billie is alone and mute. She is tired, shattered and alone after the long-haul flight from Australia. What has happened to Jennifer?

The hunt begins. Scully and Billie start the search for Jennifer. What do they find?

This story was a thought-provoking page turner. It’s a book I could read over and over.

Recommended for 15+, YA and adults.

Published by Picador 1994

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  The Natural History Museum is having some serious problems. Staff have seen a ghost. Frogmouth Skelton is worried the museum might close and then where would he live. He sets out, with his trusty mate, Watts to solve the crime that threatens the museum. 

Watts however doesn’t have much to say. Grace the racoon has something to say about the mystery and may be linked to it. Can Frogmouth solve the mystery?

I enjoyed the humour and the characters.

Recommended for MG and reluctant readers. The humour and graphic nature of the novel make for a fun light read.

Published by Allen& Unwin 2019

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

  Whisker is desperate to find two things: his family and the treasure. He hopes the treasure will lead to his family. Whisper leads the captain of the Apple Pie and the crew to the Island of Destiny. That’s where the clues tell them the treasure will be.

Trouble follows their every move. Storms, rocks, shipwreck, and a spy onboard all make finding the treasure extremely difficult.

Whisker is washed ashore after being shipwrecked. How will he find the treasure and how will he get off the island?

I enjoyed the characters.

Recommended for MG.

Published by Daydream Press 2015

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

Matt is just Matt. Not part of a family he wants to be with. Dreams terrify Matt. Death follows him. First his parents and then anyone who supports him. 

Mrs Deverill on the other hand takes Matt in on her isolated farm as part of the kids in trouble program. Slowly Matt realises he is in way more danger on the farm then he ever experienced before. Escape seems impossible. Dreams and weird stuff start to happen. Escape is the only way to survive. Can Matt break free from the lonely and isolated farm?

I enjoyed the vivid characters and mix of fact and fiction.

Recommended for Tweens and YA 10+ especially readers who enjoy murder mystery and dark action.

Published by Walker Books. This edition 2013.

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin.

  Natalie loves to write and draw but is it enough? She thinks she’s not athletic, cool or talented enough. Even her best friend tells her she’s not cool and to find other friends.

Middle school turns into a nightmare rather than a fun time with her bestie. Nat decides the answer is to be cooler, so she follows the guide in a magazine. That goes pear-shaped. Zoe and Alex offer Natalie some advice, but does she have the courage to follow it?

I enjoyed the diversity of characters and the dilemmas Natalie faces. Most school children would face similar dilemmas. 

Recommended for MG 8+ and reluctant readers.

Published by scholastic 2020

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin

This short story presents the awful life of Eliza Bird and her brother Tom. They find themselves orphaned and sent to work with a harsh master. When they run away, they find the underbelly of London’s life on the streets. Eliza is convicted of theft and transported to the early convict settlement in Sydney.

The font size and illustrations make for easy reading.

Recommended for MG

Published by Rigby Blue Prints

Illustrated by Rachel Tonkin

Read and reviewed by Judy Wollin